Page 18 of Vicious Kingdom

“Anna. Breathe.” Leo’s good hand pressed on mine. “You’re turning green.”

I closed my eyes. Air filled my lungs, rushing out rapidly.

“Slower,” he insisted.

Get over it!I had to help him.

Shaking my head in a desperate attempt to clear it, I opened my eyes and grabbed a roll of gauze, quick-clot, and disinfectant.

“Where did you learn to use these tools?” the voice that haunted my dreams drawled.

That tone, oh lord, that deep, husky tone!

When he wasn’t angry, he was the most sensual man alive.

I forced myself to focus on the task at hand, to push down the ugly twisting in my gut and concentrate on the tender warmth that flared in me from his words as I began to clean his injured palm. But blood oozed from the wound, pooling on the floor like a crimson lake that only fed my panic. I swallowed hard against the bile rising in my throat. I tried to keep my hands from trembling as I worked.

“Um, I like to find ways to actually help, you know?” I blurted out, rambling to fill the silence between us, to ground myself with words. “Not just dress pretty and give money.”

“Hmm.” The sound was a low vibration that slithered through me.

“Honestly, I’m glad to see someone as powerful as you helping the poor.” He was watching me, those dark eyes never blinking, as I tore open the package of gauze and wrapped it tight around his hand. “Sorry you’re hurt, but don’t let it stop you from doing something good.”

“There’s no such thing as doing good.” His reply was pure gravel, rough and unyielding. “There’s always an ulterior motive.”

I snapped my gaze up to meet his. Darkness danced through his black gaze, an ominous twinkle that both thrilled and unnerved me. His words echoed in my mind, a haunting revelation. It was as if he had reached in with those bloodstainedfingers and plucked the answer to the question that had been running through my head. He wasn’t here for charity. He wasn’t here for the publicity or even to make an impression with the social elite. He was here for me.

But…he hated me.

So, the question now was why? What changed over the course of a few days? I should probably be worried.

Instead, a trickle of excitement spread through me. I got through to him. Even under his skin, bothering him enough to spur him into action was better than avoidance.

I can work with this.

“I’ll take it from here.” Leo jerked his wounded hand away from me, and it felt like a slap, like another prick to my soul.

“Are you sure—”

“I’ve got it, Annaliese. Go back to your primer.”

He didn’t wait for me to protest. He stalked across the room, back to the chaotic site, back to the volunteer who stood staring at his hands like he’d never seen them before. Leo ripped the gun from the dazed man’s grip, gave him a rough shove, and took matters into his own capable hands. I stood frozen, still unable to catch a full breath, the world spinning around me.

The monster was done playing hide-and-seek. Whatever this new game was, I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.

Chapter 8 – Leonard

The interior of the house was finished just after four in the afternoon. The volunteers cheered. Hugs spread across the group, and more photos were snapped. After the delirious display of congratulations was finished, they began to disperse.

“Want to go out for pizza?” a redheaded man asked a group of pretty, preppy girls of which Annaliese was one.

Most of the girls declined. Red’s friend, another scraggly man, assented.

“I suppose I could break my diet,” a brunette sighed.

“Oh, they have salads, Kristy.” Annaliese gave her a side squeeze. “But I’ll have pizza, Kevin!”

The redhead, Kevin, beamed.